Courtney Thomas

SPE222-71583

October 24th, 2021

Myth Buster Investigation:

Autistic Individual’s Do Not
Want Friends
 INTRODUC
TION
 The purpose of this presentation is
to debunk the myths and
misconceptions that are spread
throughout our society regarding
individuals with disabilities.
MYTH:
 Individuals with
Autism do not wish
to make friends. They
would rather be alone
DEFINITION OF
AUTISM
 “…a developmental disability that
significantly affects verbal and
nonverbal communication and social
interactions, is generally evident
before the age of 3, and adversely
affects a student’s educational
performance” (Turnbull, 308).
  “Autistic people overwhelmingly
SOCIALIZIN report that they want friends…
even if their interactions
G LOOKS sometimes look different from
DIFFERENT those among neurotypical people.”
…
–Lydia Denworth
 NEUROTYP
ICAL Body
SOCIALIZI Language
NG
 Neurotypicals have certain
emotional cues they use to
communicate

Tone of Voice

Facial
Expressions
 SOCIALIZING
WITH AUTISM
Not only is it hard for autistic individuals to recognize emotional/social cues, and they also
have other barriers they must maneuver

Over- Going Non-

Stimulation Verbal

Shutdowns/
Meltdowns Stims
• Masking is a technique used by
autistic individuals. The purpose is
to mimic emotional cues.

 “Autistic people socially engage based on

environmental and ecological perceptions, not
on emotional cues.”
-Arianne Garcia
 THIS IS WHERE THE
MISUNDERSTANDING
HAPPENS
Someone doesn’t understand what they’re trying to say

Attempts at sarcasm don’t work Emotional cues are portrayed wrong

LEADS
TO

Outbursts/ Shutdowns

These reactions are looked at by society as “autistic people

don’t want friends, they want to be alone, they don’t like to socialize

That is where the stigmas come from.

SUMMARY: EVERYONE WANTS
FRIENDS,
IT’S JUST HARD
This negative stigma comes from these misunderstandings

The key is PATIENCE from both sides

This Myth can be busted for ALL of society if

everyone recognizes and respects their
differences, and takes time to learn about
individuals with autism before unfairly placing
this stigma.
 EDUCATION
 Individuals with autism are all unique from
each other. Everyone falls in a different level
on the spectrum.

It depends on the student on where

they will be placed education wise.
Some will be able to function and
learn properly in general education,
others might need as much as a self-
contained classroom.
REFERENCES
• Denworth, Lydia. “How People with Autism Forge Friendships.” Spectrum, 16 July 2021,
https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/how-people-with-autism-forge-friendships/.

• Garcia, Arianne. “Autism and Socializing at College: Insight for Students.” Stairway to STEM, 5
June 2019, https://www.stairwaytostem.org/students/autism-and-socializing/.

• Turnbull, A., Turnbull, R., Wehmeyer, M. L., & Shogren, K. A. (2020). ​Exceptional lives: Practice,
Progress & Dignity in Today’s Schools​(9th ed.). Pearson Education Inc., Hoboken, NJ.